Red Hair Care

Because Merida is my all time favorite Disney character and has the best red hair EVER.

Since going red I've been asked several times how I keep it staying red. If you've ever been red, in any shade of red, you know how hard it is to keep it vibrant. The color molecules in red are larger than any other color so they are much harder to keep in your hair. Hot water, sulfate shampoo's, lots of washing all aggravate the molecules and wash that gorgeous color right down the drain.

I have been researching different tips to make this color stay and so far here's what I've been doing.

First off, I think you have got to have GOOD COLOR. I am so beyond impressed with the Clairol Flare line. I have now used it 4 different times (on friends and myself) and can't believe the color you get with such minimal damage to your hair. I swear to you, my hair is softer and shiner now than it has been in years. If you are going from super blonde to any darker color I'd highly recommend using a PROTEIN FILLER before you color.

MOISTURIZE. Dye doesn't want to stick around in dry, straw like hair. Even if it does, it won't LOOK pretty. Your split ends show up like white dots with darker hair so get regular trims and moisturize your hair. I've been using Argan Oil on the daily and deep conditioning treatments every other shampoo. Avoid hot styling tools as often as possible.

SKIP SHAMPOO'S. Get a shower cap and a good dry shampoo and stop washing your hair. I used to have to wash every single day and by the end of the day my hair still felt greasy and limp. About 2 years ago I started washing every other day and I can now go 3 days between washing my hair before it gets bad. Your scalp will adjust and your hair will thank you.

When you do shampoo, for the love of all things holy get a SULFATE FREE SHAMPOO and make sure it's safe for color treated hair. Your regular shampoo won't hold your color in. It's designed to scrub and your color is all too happy to be washed right out. Also wash and rinse in the COLDEST WATER you can handle. Right now, I'm absolutely obsessed with the Renpure Originals Argan Oil Luxurious Shampoo. It is honestly the best shampoo I've used in years (high or low end) and has transformed my parched hair into something that actually looks nice. Smells great (actually smells a lot like the original Moroccan Oil) and I can see a noticeable difference in the color of the water when I shampoo. What used to be deep orange is now barely salmon tinted. You need this shampoo like...yesterday.

Get a COLOR DEPOSITING CONDITIONER. They make the color depositing shampoo's but for my money, I feel like a shampoo is removing grime while a conditioner is already leaving moisture so having it also leave color makes good sense to me. I've been using and loving the Riveting Reds conditioner from Sally Beauty Supply. It's safe for all shades of red, but if you are lighter than a level 6, I'd be careful because it seriously DEPOSITS color and lots of it. I use this every single time I shampoo but I also use it once a week (usually on a Sunday) as a deep conditioner. I'll shower, shampoo and towel dry my hair. Once I've gotten some of the water out, I'll apply the Riveting Reds and then comb through with a wide tooth comb to make sure it's even. I pile it on top of my head and leave it on about 20-30 minutes. Be careful, this stuff will stain. Then rinse with the coldest water you can stand and you get an instant color boost and tons of sparkly red.